Zytronic partners with Omnivision for touch digital signage and kiosks

April 2, 2012

Touch-sensor specialist Zytronic announced today that it is working to further the widespread uptake of its Projected Capacitive Technology touch sensor portfolio with software supplier Omnivision. As a result, the Omnitapps platform from Omnivision is now fully compatible with Zytronic's dual-touch capable range of PCT touch sensors.

Working in conjunction with Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system, Omnitapps is a customizable application software package that has the capacity to support multi-touch operation on large-form-factor displays. It consists of an array of different professional applications that, when combined with Zytronic's touch sensors and ZXY100 touch controllers, make it highly suited to user interface implementations in a variety of different sectors, according to the announcement.

Omnitapps can distinguish between intuitive gestures, including slide, zoom, swipe and rotate, as well as supporting English, German, Spanish and French keyboard options. Through this platform's multitouch functionality, deployers can impart valuable information to prospective customers or members of the public, as well as deliver interactive vending and advanced multiplayer gaming functions.

Its MediaWall function allows users to access social media sites such as Facebook and Linkedin, as well as viewing Flash-based websites, like YouTube. It also offers the provision for placing markers onto Google Maps (for adding useful information), or drawing onto displayed PDFs, videos, pictures and website content. In addition, it can show multiple websites simultaneously through a split-screen feature.

Zytronic's PCT-based touch sensors employ a proprietary sensing technology that consists of a matrix of micro-fine capacitive elements embedded within a laminated substrate, which can be located behind a protective overlay (more than 10 cm thick). Touchscreens based on this technology are resistant to the various forms of mechanical damage that can potentially shorten the lifespan of resistive or surface capacitive touch solutions — such as vibration, heavy impacts, scratches, build up of dirt, extreme temperatures, exposure to potent chemicals, high humidity levels, or liquid ingress — according to Zytronic. Furthermore, unlike infrared and surface acoustic wave touch sensor options, PCT can enable all glass, bezel-free designs, resulting in smooth-fronted user interfaces.

"Omnitapps can distinguish between each single touch placed on the screen and enhance the touch functionality offered by Windows 7 so that more sophisticated user manipulation is possible," Alexander Aelberts, CEO and founder of Omnivision, said in the announcement. "Support for PCT sensing brings a whole new dimension to this solution, expanding its scope of application."

A variety of different sectors are searching for a mature, commercially viable solution for implementing public information kiosks, interactive digital signage systems and point-of-sales units, Zytronic Sales and Marketing Director Ian Crosby said in the announcement.

"By combining the operational resilience afforded by Zytronic's hardware with the high level touch performance of Omnivision's software, designers can put iPad style functionality into almost any environment or location," he said.